(Scroll down for video) A dog became out of control and killed a newborn baby after the boy’s mother coughed, causing the animal to get scared, police in California said.

The San Diego Police Department said that the parents of the 3-day-old boy were watching television together in bed when the mother coughed.

The dog named Polo, jumped up and bit the baby who was being held his mother’s arms. The parents of the baby managed to pull the dog away, but it was too late and the boy died of his injuries on Thursday night.

The San Diego County Animal Services, took the 2-year-old dog into custody, and it was placed in isolation. After 10 days, the owners will have to decide if they want to take the dog back or have it euthanized.